Edwin De Los Santos Rejects Jose Valenzuela’s Short-Notice Excuse

The Dominican says he accepted their first fight on even shorter notice and expects Sunday’s rematch to end the same way

Edwin De Los Santos says Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela cannot blame short notice for their first fight, arguing he had even less time to prepare before knocking Valenzuela out as the pair get set to meet this Sunday again on Zuffa Boxing’s card at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.

Valenzuela has suggested the limited preparation time contributed to his third-round stoppage loss in September 2023, but De Los Santos rejected that explanation, insisting both fighters entered the bout under similar circumstances.

“The person who actually got the short notice was myself with only two weeks’ notice, and you saw what happened,” De Los Santos said to Zuffa Boxing. “So, same for both of you.”

The Dominican contender also dismissed the idea that a rematch was needed, predicting the outcome will be no different the second time around.

“To be honest, this rematch was quite unnecessary since you saw the result that happened the first fight. Whether it’s going to be by decision or by knockout, it’s going to be the same result,” said De Los Santos.

Sunday’s bout comes after De Los Santos lost a planned world title opportunity against Keyshawn Davis when Davis failed to make weight, forcing the fight to collapse before it could take place.

“It’s very unfortunate that Keyshawn didn’t make weight for a world title, but things happen for a reason,” said Edwin. “I’m very happy and very grateful to actually be here with Zuffa Boxing and get my career going.”

De Los Santos stopped Valenzuela in the third round of their first meeting after accepting the fight on short notice himself. The rematch marks one of the featured bouts on Zuffa Boxing’s latest event and gives Valenzuela an opportunity to avenge the lone stoppage loss of his professional career, while De Los Santos looks to prove the first result was no fluke.

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